Arts and Crafts Wedge and Strap Bed #8: The Wedge and Strap Inlay

Here is the bed project, which is nearing completion.-----A couple of headboard details remain, one of which is the wedge and strap detail. I tapered the backsplash, and glued the wedges on. Next I use carpet tape to attach the backsplash to a strip of plywood. This serves as a reference edge as I cut the dado for the walnut inlay. -----I use a dado set and miter gauge to cut the shallow dado. I make sure to cut both ends of the backsplash before adjusting the fence. Normally one would cut dados before cutting tapers, however in this instance I found it better to reverse protocol. -----I miter two pieces of walnut, and glue them in the dado. During the glueup, I concentrate on keeping the inlay flush with the bottom edge of the backsplash. -----Wedge and strap inlay complete. It is designed to look like a wedge driven laterally into a leather strap. This detail matches several of my other pieces in this bedroom set. -----Then the backsplash was glued with biscuits to the top of the headboard. -----Then I use a pounding block to tap pegs into the legs of the headboard.-----The pounding block helps set the pegs at a consistent depth.-----

Next up should be the drawer construction.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush